First time traveller to Italy. 25th Wedding Anniversary

Venice will be the best base for Murano and Burano. Florence is a good base for Pisa, Lucca, and Siena if you want to see these places by train or bus... Or stay in an agriturismo with a car to travel the countryside (keeping in mind that driving into most city centers is a big spendy NO NO), and for the Amalfi coast/Capri/Pompeii area Sorrento is ideally located. The Tuscany countryside is really the only place you might find a car helpful, otherwise it is a pain. Nearly anywhere you want to go is accessible by train or bus.

Happy Anniversary!!

How long is your trip? How much time do you want to spend in Italy? When will you be traveling?

You can't do all these things from two base locations. We spent our 25th in Venice. From Venice you can see Murano and Burano.

La Spezia? Why? The Cinque Terre is best done when you can stay a couple of nights, rather than as a day trip.

Florence, Pisa, Siena and Lucca are all in Tuscany. You could find a nice Agriturismo to stay in. I can recommend one if you're interested.

Postiano, Sorrento, Capri and Amalfi are all along the Amalfi Coast. I haven't been to that area, but many here like to base in Sorrento.

As you see, the places you've listed would require 4 places to stay. The only place a car would be recommended is Tuscany, and that would be only if you are staying outside of Florence and want to see hill towns. If you want to stay in Florence you could take a train or bus to Lucca and Pisa, if those are the only places you are interested in. We stayed in an Agriturismo just outside of Siena to see the hill towns, then stayed a couple of nights in Florence. From there we took the train to Lucca and spent a night. The next day we took the train the the Cinque Terre, stopping at Pisa for a couple of hours on the way. That was more than enough time for Pisa.

Planning can be enjoyable. Is is for me. It just takes research and some effort to make it the best possible trip!

Oh, and in the Cinque Terre you can stay in any of the 5 towns there, or in nearby Levanto. A car will be absolutely no good here.

Whoever told you that planning a big trip to a foreign country you've never been to is enjoyable is either sadistic or has forgotten what it was like. But here's the consolation. Once you plan your itinerary and reserve your flights, it gets easier. And after you've found some hotels and started reading restaurant reviews, it will be fun. You haven't told us how long your trip will be or what time of year you will go. These are important considerations.

I would start by flying into Venice. Venice is the best place to get over jetlag. Ride the vaporetto (waterbus) up and down the Grand Canal both daytime and after dark. Grab (wait for) seats in the very front (best) or the very back (second best). I was underwhelmed by Burano, but the ride across the lagoon was worth it. If you choose to take a gondola ride (pricey) make sure you go along the quiet back canals (romantic) and not the Grand Canal (imagine a horse-drawn carriage on Fifth Avenue in New York). I'd allow at least 3 full days in Venice (one to visit the islands).

In Tuscany, f you aren't very interested in Renaissance art and architecture, don't base yourselves in Florence. Either choose a town with more charm, like Siena, or stay at an agriturismo and take a rental car. From Siena, you can day trip by bus to Florence, San Gimignano and other places. 3 days at a minimum.

Sorrento is the best base for the Amalfi Coast because it is the most well-connected (bus, train, ferry) to the other places and to an airport for your flight home (Naples or Rome, probably). At least 4 days.

That's 10 days. Now add travel time: 1/2 day from the airport to Venice, 1/2 day from Venice to Tuscany, a full day from there to Sorrento, 1/2 day from there to your departure city, and of course the international travel days. If you are flying from Rome, then it's really better to stay in Rome the night before the flight, even if you have a late flight out. There's good wine in Rome too.

I could happily spend more than 3 days in Tuscany and more than 4 around the Amalfi Coast. If you want to add the Cinque Terre (between Tuscany and Sorrento), allow at least 2 days there. Alternately, go to the CT and skip the AC if you are short on time.

Fly to Venice:
VENICE: Base for Venice, Murano and Burano (plan at least 3 nights)
Train from Venice to Florence
FLORENCE: Base for Florence, Siena, Lucca (Plan at least 4 nights, 1 full day for Florence plus day trips to Siena, Lucca or wherever). If you intend to rent a car to visit Tuscany, then choose base outside Florence, between Florence and Siena.
Train from Florence to Monterosso (Cinque Terre) via Pisa and La Spezia - Visit Pisa for a couple of hours between train changes.
MONTEROSSO: Base for Cinque Terre (plan at least 2 nights at the Cinque Terre)
Train from Monterosso to Sorrento (via Rome and Naples). Positano reachable by bus from Sorrento. Both Sorrento and Positano are also reachable via boat from Naples.
SORRENTO or POSITANO (your preference): base for Gulf of Naples (Capri, Pompeii)/Amalfi Coast) (Plan at least 3 or 4 nights)
Train from Sorrento via Naples back up to Rome:
ROME: base for Rome. (Plan at least 3 nights)
Fly back home from Rome.

Thank you everyone for your comments. It has been invaluable. I am now actually getting really excited. Chani and Roberto thank you so much, you have practically organised our trip:) one more question: if we didn't base ourselves in Florence, where do you recommend as the prettiest place to base ourselves to get to the other locations we want to go. San gimignano, Luca, sienna. We have chosen sorrento or positano as a base on the Amalie coast.

I only took a day trip to Siena, but ever since, I've longed to return for a 2-3 night stay. Though I haven't been to San Gimignano or Lucca, from all the many comments I've read over the years, I sense that Siena has more to offer. One caveat, the town is hilly, and the walking is steep. Florence is level.

When I was in the CT, I stayed in Riomaggiore, very steep climb up from the train station - as I was leaving for Milan, I discovered there was a shuttle up! Monterosso looked to have the nicest beach. Absolutely take the ferry in the afternoon (with the sun behind you) between Monterosso Riomaggiore for the most gorgeous scenic views.

Congratulations!

If you go to the islands of Venice, include Torcello. It's a short vaporetto ride from Burano. It's the original settlement and has a very different feel from the rest of Venice. Also consider the vaporetto pass for your stay - individual rides are pricey.

For Tuscany, I prefer Siena as a base. You can get to many cities by bus or train from there if you don't have a car. I like Arezzo, Volterra, San Gimignano, definitely Montalcino for great wine tastings.

For the Amalfi Coast, I love Ravello (above Amalfi). Not as many transportation choices as Sorrento, but it's a very small town with a spectacular setting and you will have it mostly to yourselves in the evenings.

You may want to Google images for cities you are interested in seeing, that always helps me get in the mood to plan a trip.

For first time travelers to Italy, esp. Americans, it's hard to beat the RS guidebooks for practical information like you're asking about. Do you have at least the RS Italy book?

During my Italy trip (summer 2012), we based ourselves in Sorrento to explore the Amalfi Coast. We took the ferry to Capri and the bus to Positano and it was very easy to do. We stayed at Il Roseto B and B and liked it a lot. They serve breakfast in their lovely garden and the owners were kind and very helpful.

I would echo Siena as a base for the area...it's an amazing city and you can easily get to so many other places in a reasonable amount of time. San Gimignano, Montalpuciano, Montalcino, etc...all are within easy reach. We like the Hotel Almadomus - it's run by nuns and has amazing views of the city!
If you're going to the Cinque Terre just spend a few days instead of trying to do it as a day trip...ride the train from town to town. It's romantic for your 25th and you won't be sorry you stayed and spent time there.

Hi again guys,
We have booked our holiday FINALLY.
Venice 3 nights, santa margherita 4 nights, greve 6 nights, sorrento 4 nights, Rome 3 nights, santorini 5 nights, dubai 3 nights. Can't wait.
Could you now please help me as to the best way to get from place to place. I know water taxi to venice, but from venice onwards are we best to get trains. We are flying from Rome to santorini, then from santorini to Athens onto Dubai.
Someone suggested a eurail Italy pass.

Thank you so much in advance for your invaluable input.

Kelly

Eurail passes in Italy are a waste of money and you still need to buy reservations. Check the Trenitalia website (hit the British flag icon in the upper right corner to translate the page). There are three price levels, super economy is cheap but has lots of restrictions (but if you already have accommodations booked your only decision would be departure time), economy is a little more expensive but permits some changes, and base fare is full price and allows changes almost until departure time.

I would suggest the train from Venice to Florence. Rent a car from a rental office as close to to the train station as possible. We found leaving Florence to the south very easy but learned our lesson that returning even with GPS not so much. I would suggest dropping your car after Greve in someplace like Arezzo and train to Sorrento via Naples.
Happy travels

Venice 3 nights, santa margherita 4 nights, greve 6 nights, sorrento 4 nights, Rome 3 nights, santorini 5 nights, dubai 3 nights.

As to transportation:
Venice - buy a vaporetto pass at the Hello Venezia booth at the airport. This gives you all the waterbus rides you can take in 48 or 72 hours as you choose.

Take a train to SML and trains up-and-down the Ligurian Coast. No car needed.

To Greve, pick up a car in La Spezia and keep it until you leave for Sorrento. Drop the car in Florence and take the high-speed Frecciarossa to Naples and the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Then back to Rome via Circumvesuviana and Frecciarossa.

Thanks Laurel for your feed back.
My travel agent recommended a eurail pass. 6 day flexi pass, which is about $494.00 per person AUD. I was wondering if your option will work out cheaper for us. This seems expensive, but I am not a seasoned traveller, so not sure. Does it work out cheaper to get a vaporetta from venice or book it in advance from Australia. Thank you again for your help

Are you asking about the vaporetto pass? If so, you can buy it at the train station or at the airport (don't know how you are getting to Venice) and start using it right away. You have to scan it in the machine at the boarding platform every time you use it.

Go to the trenitalia website (click on the British flag icon to translate the page) and compare prices point-to-point versus the railpass. Most of the places you mention in your original post are not long distances (Venice to La Spezia and Florence to Sorrento are the longest, and Naples to Sorrento is by Circumvesuviana which doesn't take the railpass), some are better accessed by bus, and the islands in the Venetian lagoon are covered by the vaporetto pass.

And let us know how the trip was when you return.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information.
Will let you know Claire how we went. So nice of you to be interested. I am beside myself with excitement. Couldn't think of a better way to spend our 25th wedding anniversary.

I'm very much in the minority here on this forum, but I don't care for Siena. Loved the place we've stayed (twice) right outside though. I loved Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza and San Gimignano which are close by... much more quaint and charming imo.

Sorrento is our favorite place in Italy, love it there. As others have said, it is the best town for a base.

I agree with Michael, highly recommend you read the RS Italy guide. It will be extremely helpful.

Hey guys, we are back from our wonderful holiday. We had an absolute ball. Loved Venice and thought Burano was beautiful with all those colourful houses. It was so vibrant. Cinque terra and portofino was just stunning. We did the 2 hour walk from vernazza to monterossa. What a challenge, felt very good about ourselves after that walk. Hired a car in Tuscany. How beautiful is this place. Another great challenge driving there as we drive on the opposite side of the road here in Australia. Loved Sorrento, great base for the Amalfie Coast. This was just lovely also. Found the colosseum and roman forum to be absolutely amazing. Santorini was lovely. The blue waters of the caldera with the contrast of the white homes was stunning. Went on a fantastic cruise here. Dubai, 3 nights were not enough as we only had 2 full days. Will go back there in feb or march as it is cooler. It was very hot and humid in June. All in all the trip was even better than we had hoped for. Didn't want it to end:) thank you all for your wonderful feed back and tips. It was all very helpful.
Kelly & Glenn

Kelly & Glenn: Thank YOU for providing feedback! Great to hear that you had a wonderful trip.